Town Square

East Palo Alto wins 'grassroots' redevelopment award

In the last undeveloped area of East Palo Alto, most see empty fields, vacant lots and long underutilized, decrepit industrial buildings -- one of which used to house a pesticide manufacturer and another, a chemical-recycling facility.

If you are a paid subscriber, check to make sure you have
logged in.
Otherwise our system cannot recognize you as having full free access to our site.

If you are a paid print subscriber and haven't yet set up an online account,
click here
to get your online account activated.

Comments

Like this comment

Posted by Do not hide it
a resident of East Palo Alto
on Jun 10, 2013 at 8:22 am

The author forgot to mention all the shootings and dead and injuries that happened every day. Whey hide it? Sadly, it is one of the biggest realities of EPA, and the officials have not done much about it. Except for some publicity couple of weeks ago. We need to bring get serious abut crime first so people and especially our kids can enjoy the housing development without having to sacrifice their safety. What good is it to have a golden cage, when you can experience freedom on the streets?

Posted by KP
a resident of South of Midtown
on Jun 10, 2013 at 1:01 pm

@ Do not hide it
It's really not relevant to this story. AND as you said, it's a reality, so no need even to discuss it in this story of development and growth to a, hopefully, less violent (maybe, maybe not) city.
EPA does have great potential for a good beginning.
No need to not try and make things better, just because it's out of control now.
If you don't build it, they won't come! :-) Thank goodness some investors saw the potential EPA can offer.
Just my opinion.

Posted by Victoria
a resident of East Palo Alto
on Jun 11, 2013 at 10:12 am

These changes offer a great opportunity for most of the current residents. We live in a perfect location, in the center of the Bay Area. We are located between two International airports which gives us choices on flights and fares. We can hop across the Bay on Dumbarten Bridge. We live on beautiful bay with trails to Mountain View and beyond. Everything is within easy reach. East Palo Alto needs the revenue to improve our schools/education system. Don't make people move out of the earea for a better school system! East Palo Alto has remianed a hidden secret for too long - and gangs want it to stay that way. A better educational system (vocational training also) is the best way to remove the gangs.

Posted by Dixie
a resident of East Palo Alto
on Jun 25, 2013 at 11:39 am

I agree with Victoria's comments and the city of EPA is a hidden gem! I moved from Menlo Park in 2000 and I enjoy both the diversity of residents, and the proximity to everything the Peninsula has to offer. Where else can you live in this area and have a major university, and university hospital, shops, restaurants, theatre and art within easy distance. Along with a world-class YMCA and facilities like the Ravenswood Health Center that serve the underserved that other communities have forgotten. All at what is considered "affordable housing for the Peninsula". This community has it all and I look forward to having an unique opportunity to experience it's continued development.

Posted by Bobby D
a resident of East Palo Alto
on May 14, 2014 at 5:29 pm

Great story. When will all this happen. The planning has been going forever. Other City's talk less and do more. Can be easily seen. EPA City Council thinks more of poor and under privileged first. Many of these poor and under privileged have lived in the city for long and now it is time for their properties to appreciate, it is time for them to be like their neighbors Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Mountain View. City Council please move.